CREAMY POLENTA WITH PARMESAN AND SAUSAGE

Creamy Polenta With Parmesan and Sausage image

Polenta is such a natural base for so many savory foods - more flavorful than either pasta or mashed potatoes, but somehow just as forgiving - that it's hard to pick a favorite topping. Having said that, I know what mine is: sausage. The fatty succulence of a banger combined with the lean graininess of the cornmeal is somehow perfect.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 good-quality sweet Italian sausages
1 cup medium-to-coarse cornmeal
Salt
1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
2 tablespoons butter
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Put oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, put cornmeal in a medium saucepan along with 1 cup water and whisk well to make a slurry; continue whisking mixture to eliminate any lumps. Put pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, whisking frequently and adding water as needed to keep mixture loose and free of lumps, between 3 and 4 more cups. If mixture becomes too thick, simply add a bit more water; consistency should be similar to sour cream's.
Polenta will be done in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on grind. Add cheese and butter. Taste and add salt, if necessary, and lots of pepper; serve topped with sausages.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 731, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 54 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 21 grams, Sodium 1121 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams